Bangalore

Bangalore is where India is headed - as the fifth largest city in India, it is said to be the fastest growing city in Asia, in a plethora of interesting buildings and high tech industries. Also known as Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka is the technological hub of India and it´s where the country’s new, confident and global identity is being forged. The once sleepy regional capital is today a modern metropolis that will come as a big surprise to those who are visiting for the first time. As wealthier Indians flock to live here, Bangalore has become a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant cafe and bar culture. The city might lack historical sites but it compensates it with its buzzing, relaxed and liberal atmosphere and a location that makes Bangalore a perfect base for exploring the beautiful temples and evocative palaces of the Deccan.

The City

Once known as The Garden City of India, earliest records of a place named ’Bengaluru’ come from a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as ’Old Bangalore’. Legends surround Bangalore. One legend has it that Bengaluru (Town of Boiled Beans) got its name after an old woman served cooked pulses to a lost and hungry Hoysala king. Another has it that a feudal lord was hunting in the area when a rabbit turned and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on the lord who gave the place the title of Gandu Bhoomi (the place of heroes).

Besides the magic atmosphere that old Indian traditions have created around the city, Bangalore is also a metropolitan hub, constantly changing. Buildings are rising up at a fast pace while a new city center has come into the world in a clutch of skyscrapers in the area surrounding Cubbon Park.

The city is split into two main districts, ’Urban’ and ’Rural’. Within the city itself, Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G. Road) running from Trinity Circle at one end to Anil Kumble Circle at the other, is the main thoroughfare filled with banks, smart shops and restaurants. The city’s other main hub, Gandhinagar, in the western part of the city, is where you will find the central bus stand and the main railway station. Nicknamed “Majestic”, the area is crowded, busy and and full of shops, cinemas and budget hotels. In the northern part of town reside the Raj-era buildings, the High Court and the racecourse. Bangalore Urban district contains the city itself and many of the main sights. This is further divided into the North, South and also the Anekal districts, comprising more than 600 villages in total.

The Bangalore Rural district comprises in excess of 1.000 different villages and it is ideal if you fancy escaping from the chaos of the city life.
Outside the city, Savandurga is a famous hilltop with temples dedicated to Gangadeshwara, Hanna Devi and a cave spring called Pattala, in a bull-shaped figure that has enchanted tourists for years.

Do & See

Despite Bangalore´s sudden development, the city preserves its charm unaltered, in a plethora of old buildings, temples, colorful markets and peaceful gardens.

The extraordinary timber-built Tipu Sultan Palace, in the heart of the city, gives a fascinating glimpse into Bangalore’s past and a sense of perspective in this wannabe-modern city, projected into the future. A renowned 17th-century temple and the ruins of Bangalore´s fort are only a few steps away, creating a hub of historical constructions. Karnataka’s State Legislature and Secretariat building, one of India’s greatest buildings, is located north-west of Cubbon Park.

Despite the rush of modern life, Bangalore has a strong religious tradition. Be sure to head to Bugle Hill and the Bull Temple. A favorite among travelers, this breathtaking 16th-century construction literally dwarfs whoever passes by.

Bangalore is a city to be experienced and explored; the Garden City is in fact famous for its parks, some of which date back over 200 years and include the most impressive of all, the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh.

Bangalore Palace

Cubbon Park

Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery

Vidhana Soudha

Lal Bagh

Tipu Sultan´s Summer Palace

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Ulsoor Lake

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum

Iskcon Temple

St. Marks Cathedral

Sri Dodda Ganapathi Temple

Wonderla Amusement Park

Nandi Temple

Flight 4 Fantasy

BadAzz Combat Academy

Dining

Bangalore is a gourmand’s paradise. The local cuisine takes in influences from Andhra, Chettinad, Hyderabadi, Tamil, Mangalorean and Keralan dishes with a big emphasis on rice, sambar and rasam (vegetable stew and soup) dishes. However, being a global capital you can find a great variety of international cuisines here, from sushi to pizza. But the real delight of Bangalore is to fully indulge in its delicious local cuisine. There is something for everyone.

You should start the day with a plate of unbeatable masala dosa, a delicious crepe stuffed with spiced potatoes known as the “food of the gods”, accompanied by some chai tea. Lunch or dinner normally consists of steamed rice, curries, vegetable dishes, pickles, one or two sweet dishes, poppadoms, buttermilk, curd and ghee. It is tradition to start the meal with a sweet dish and to finish with curd rice - all served on well-rinsed Banana leaf.

Authenticook – Dine with a local family

Ebony

Jamavar

Karavalli

MavalliTiffinRooms

Olive Beach

I-t.ALIA

Blue Ginger

Sunny´s

The Fisherman's Wharf

Barbeque Nation

Dakshin

Sattvam

Chianti

Millers 46

Fava

Cafes

With the emergence of a cosmopolitan café culture, new cafés and fast food outlets are springing up fast in Bangalore. As well as the predictable chain cafés like Barista and Coffee Day, hip hangouts with DJs or live music as well as more traditional settings are rising up in the heart of the city.

Here, the social atmosphere that depends upon coffee and tea is fascinating - the high tea becomes a social event not only for the upper class but for everybody in Bangalore.

Crust and Cream

Brahamin´s Coffee Bar

Café Coffee Day

Dyu Art Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

Bars & Nightlife

The tech-savvy denizens of Bangalore might work hard but they certainly know how to enjoy themselves - the city has in fact seen a boom in the numbers of pubs, bars and clubs. However, thanks to vigilant local authorities who have imposed a 11.30 pm curfew, Bangalore’s party has yet to power up with the only exception of the 24 hours coffee shops. Despite this, the city offers some great nights out if you plan properly ahead, with a great majority of clubs and bars located in hotels.

i-BAR

13th Floor

Noir

Purple Haze

Blue Bar

Polo Club

Skyye

Toit Brewpub

Opus

No Limmits

Shopping

Bangalore, is truly every shopper´s paradise, a cosmopolitan city with diverse trends offering everything from pure silk saris to chic dresses to branded gold jewelry and more. With exclusive boutiques, modern shopping malls, traditional shopping markets and street side sellers, shopping in Bangalore is indeed a wonderful experience. The city has fast gained recognition from the world as a fashion destination, making Bangalore the hub for shopper today. In fact, India's first shopping mall came up in Bangalore.

Shop Ananya

Natesans Antiqarts

Deepam Silks & Sarees

Brigade Road

Leela Collonnade

Bangalore Central Mall

KR Market

Burberry

Diesel Store

M.G. Road / Commercial Street

Malleswaram

UB City

Essential Information

Bangalore International Airport

Bangalore international airport is located 44 kilometers north of Bangalore and it´s well connected to the city center. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has in fact twelve bus routes with buses running every 15 minutes to and from the airport, offering the most convenient way to get here .

Air Conditioned Taxi services to the BIA is also available. Share Taxis are operated by Airlift and located just outside the terminal building next to the bus stand with the bright red Volvo buses.

Address: Bangalore International Airport, Devanahalli, Bangalore

Phone: +91 80667 84444

Website: www.bengaluruairport.com

Public Transport

Bangalore has an extensive public transport system. Bus services are frequent and cover the entire city although congestion can sometimes make travelling slow. Driving in India is not a good idea. Lane discipline is practically nonexistent and the use of horns at all times, mandatory.

Buses in Bangalore are cheap and frequent. Many have seats reserved for women at the front of the vehicle. Bus service is less frequent after 10.30pm. Try to avoid rush-hour between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays when the buses tend to be packed. Ordinary city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada. You can find the routes on the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) website www.bmtcinfo.com with bus maps sold at the main bus terminals: Kempegowda bus stand (also known as the Majestic Bus Stand, near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station) and Shivajinagar in the north.

Buses with black display boards run within the city. Ordinary city buses are white and blue in color. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. Red Volvo buses, Vajra, operate on certain routes within the city and are air-conditioned, are the best option for tourists.

With a daily bus pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day.

Address: Bangalore

Website: www.bmtcinfo.com

Taxi

Bangalore taxis are convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars - much safer than auto rickshaws. Taxis are unmarked and they normally feature the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Some companies have a yellow sign with an identification number on the top.

City Safari
+91 802 553 4276

Gopinath Radio Call Taxi Service
+91 80 23 605 555

Address: Bangalore

Phone: +91 802 553 4276

Post

Numerous post offices are spread throughout the city, offering many solutions to buy stamps and to post letters. The small red postal kiosks, usually attached to poles, can easily be found among the intricate knot of streets.

Plenty of pharmacies can be found along M.G. Road as well as at the other main streets. You do not need any prescription for over the counter drugs and ayurvedic medicine, which are available for common ailments like headaches and fever. Most pharmacies will deliver 24 hours a day, usually for a small surcharge.